Should Leevi Merilainen still be the backup for the Senators?

There are several questions surrounding the Ottawa Senators heading into the offseason, especially between the pipes.

While Linus Ullmark is the unquestioned starter, there’s a lot of concern for who will be backing him up next season. Leevi Merilainen was supposed to be the No. 2, but struggled immensely at times, going just 8-10-1 in 20 appearances, with a 3.51 goals-against average and a .860 save percentage. His last start saw him allow six goals in an overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens, leading to his being sent down to Ottawa’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Belleville Senators.

The Senators were then forced to go out and sign veteran James Reimer to be the backup for the last half of the season. While Reimer was solid, he certainly wasn’t the long-term solution Ottawa is hoping for in a backup. Many wonder whether Merilainen will get another shot with the big club in 2026-27, or will he need to spend another year in a the minors, and the Sens need to go out and add another experienced backstop into the fold.

On Wednesday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Brent Wallace of Coming in Hot joined Tyler Yaremchuk and Carter Hutton to discuss whether Merilainen will be one of the two goaltenders in the nation’s capital next fall.

Brent Wallace: I can see them trying with Leevi to see maybe if he can regain that form, but I really think they’re gonna have to try and find another veteran, like they did in James Reimer. Some guy that can play 30 games, he’s there as a potential 1B-type guy. I think it’s going to ask me someone more significant and let Leevi Merilainen play one more year in Belleville.

Maybe there is a way that Leevi Merilainen can regain the net. I just think they need to make sure they don’t gamble away the season like they did trying to get Leevi Merilainen on track.

You can watch the full segment and entire episode here…